U.S. patent number 6,805,593 [Application Number 10/322,026] was granted by the patent office on 2004-10-19 for quick connect battery terminal.
This patent grant is currently assigned to General Motors Corporation. Invention is credited to Todd E. Durocher, Olimpia Maria Hernandez, Craig Rodriguez, James R. Spaulding, Bernard W. Stone.
United States Patent |
6,805,593 |
Spaulding , et al. |
October 19, 2004 |
Quick connect battery terminal
Abstract
A battery assembly for a vehicle includes a battery with a post
extending therefrom. A terminal is connected to the post, and a
blade extends from the terminal. A battery cable includes an
attached connector. The connector is configured to receive the
blade in a snap-in relationship. The blade includes a protrusion
thereon, and the connector includes a spring member configured to
provide sufficient normal force on the blade to force the blade
against a wall of the connector to provide a reliable electrical
contact. The spring member abuts the protrusion to secure the blade
in the connector.
Inventors: |
Spaulding; James R. (Macomb,
MI), Hernandez; Olimpia Maria (Birmingham, MI), Durocher;
Todd E. (Warren, MI), Rodriguez; Craig (Rochester Hills,
MI), Stone; Bernard W. (Detroit, MI) |
Assignee: |
General Motors Corporation
(Detroit, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
32507191 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/322,026 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/764 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
11/282 (20130101); H01R 11/287 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
11/28 (20060101); H01R 11/11 (20060101); H01R
004/42 () |
Field of
Search: |
;439/764,762,769,770,772,774,846,852,848,754 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Patel; Tulsidas C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hargitt; Laura C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A battery assembly for a vehicle comprising: a battery including
a post extending therefrom; a terminal connected to the post; a
blade extending from the terminal; and a battery cable with an
attached connector, said connector configured with a housing to
receive said blade into said housing in a snap-in relationship.
2. The battery assembly of claim 1, wherein the blade includes a
protrusion thereon and the connector includes a spring member
configured to provide sufficient normal force on the blade to force
the blade against a wall of the connector to provide a reliable
electrical contact, and wherein the spring member abuts the
protrusion to secure the blade in the connector.
3. The battery assembly of claim 1, wherein said blade is
integrally formed with said terminal.
4. A battery assembly for a vehicle comprising: a battery including
a post extending therefrom; a terminal connected to the post; a
blade extending from the terminal; and a battery cable with an
attached connector, said connector configured with a housing to
receive said blade into said housing in a snap-in relationship,
wherein the blade includes a protrusion thereon and the connector
includes a spring member configured to provide sufficient normal
force on the blade to force the blade against a wall of the
connector to provide a reliable electrical contact, and wherein the
spring member abuts the protrusion to secure the blade in the
connector, and wherein said housing is generally rectangular and
said spring member is connected to the housing.
5. The battery assembly of claim 4, wherein said spring member is
generally S-shaped in vertical cross-section.
6. A battery assembly for a vehicle comprising: a battery including
a post extending therefrom: a terminal connected to the post; a
blade extending from the terminal; and a battery cable with an
attached connector, said connector configured with a housing to
receive said blade into said housing in a snap-in relationship,
wherein the blade includes a protrusion thereon and the connector
includes a spring member configured to provide sufficient normal
force on the blade to force the blade against a wall of the
connector to provide a reliable electrical contact, and wherein the
spring member abuts the protrusion to secure the blade in the
connector, and wherein said blade is tapered in width, becoming
narrower away from the terminal.
7. A battery assembly for a vehicle comprising: a battery including
a post extending therefrom; a terminal connected to the post; a
blade extending from the terminal; and a battery cable with an
attached connector, said connector configured with a housing to
receive said blade into said housing in a snap-in relationship,
wherein the blade includes a protrusion thereon and the connector
includes a spring member configured to provide sufficient normal
force on the blade to force the blade against a wall of the
connector to provide a reliable electrical contact, and wherein the
spring member abuts the protrusion to secure the blade in the
connector, and wherein said blade includes first and second
prongs.
8. The battery assembly of claim 2, wherein said blade includes a
V-shaped lower surface.
9. The battery assembly of claim 1, wherein said blade extends in a
direction perpendicular to the post.
10. A battery assembly for a vehicle comprising: a battery
including a post extending therefrom; a terminal connected to the
post; a blade extending from the terminal; and a battery cable with
an attached connector, said connector configured with a housing to
receive said blade into said housing in a snap-in relationship,
wherein the blade includes a protrusion thereon and the connector
includes a spring member configured to provide sufficient normal
force on the blade to force the blade against a wall of the
connector to provide a reliable electrical contact, and wherein the
spring member abuts the protrusion to secure the blade in the
connector, and wherein the connector includes an aperture formed
therethrough and a distal end of the spring member protrudes
through the aperture to facilitate disconnecting the blade from the
connector.
11. A cable attachment assembly for a battery including a post
extending therefrom, comprising: a terminal attachable to the post;
a first connector component fixed to the terminal, and a second
connector component fixed to a cable; and said first and second
connectors configured to provide a snap-in relationship with each
other to electrically connect the post and the cable; wherein said
first connector component comprises a blade extending from the
terminal and said second connector component comprises a generally
rectangular connector housing configured to receive substantially
all of the blade into the housing.
12. The cable attachment assembly at claim 11, wherein the blade
includes a protusion thereon and the connector housing includes a
spring member configured to provide sufficient normal force on the
blade to force the blade against a wall of the connector housing to
provide a reliable electrical contact, and wherein the spring
member abuts the protrusion to secure the blade in the connector
housing.
13. The cable attachment assembly of claim 11, wherein said blade
is integrally formed with said terminal.
14. The cable attachment assembly of claim 12, wherein said spring
member is fixed to the connector housing.
15. The cable attachment assembly of claim 14, wherein said spring
member is generally S-shaped in vertical cross-section.
16. The cable attachment assembly of claim 12, wherein said blade
is tapered in width, becoming narrower away from the terminal.
17. The cable attachment assembly of claim 12, wherein said blade
includes first and second prongs.
18. The cable attachment assembly of claim 12, wherein said blade
includes a V-shaped lower surface.
19. The battery assembly of claim 1, wherein said post is
positioned on a top surface of the battery.
20. A battery assembly for a vehicle comprising: a battery
including a post extending therefrom; a terminal connected to the
post and including an integrally formed blade extending from the
terminal, said blade including a protrusion formed thereon; and a
battery cable with an attached connector, said connector configured
to receive said blade in a snap-in relationship, wherein the
connector is configured as a generally rectangular housing
including a spring member connected to the housing and configured
to abut the protrusion to secure the blade in the connector, said
spring member being generally S-shaped in vertical cross-section.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a quick connect battery terminal including
a blade extending from the terminal for snap-in cooperation with a
connector including a connector spring.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Battery posts and terminals typically provide the means by which a
battery is electrically connected to electrical components in an
automobile. The connections are provided by means of cables
electrically connected between the battery posts and the electrical
components. The terminal is typically secured to the post by a
nut-and-bolt assembly.
Due to packaging constraints, access to the battery posts is often
restricted by body and engine components. With the conventional
design of battery terminals, tool access to the nut-and-bolt or
retainer fastener is required. The fastener is usually secured with
an air-powered nut runner, socket and extension. Because the
battery is typically installed forward in the engine compartment,
it is often installed beneath body structures such as the radiator
support rail, or very close to the fender inner panel, which may
restrict access to the fastener.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the present invention, the terminal includes a blade extending
therefrom for engagement with a connector or connector housing
which includes a spring for biasing the blade against a wall of the
housing to provide a reliable electrical contact. Accordingly, the
battery terminal and blade may be previously installed onto the
battery for delivery to an assembly plant. Once at the assembly
plant, the battery may be installed in the vehicle, and the blade
may be attached to a corresponding connector and cable at any time
during the assembly process without the need for tools as a result
of the snap-in relationship between the blade and connector. In
this manner, labor is reduced in the assembly plant and no assembly
tools are needed. The invention also alleviates tool access issues
related to the installation of the fasteners of conventional
battery post terminals.
More specifically, the invention provides a battery assembly for a
vehicle including a battery with a post extending therefrom. A
terminal is connected to the post, and a blade extends from the
terminal. A battery cable includes an attached connector or
connector housing. The connector is configured to receive the blade
in a snap-in relationship. The blade includes a protrusion thereon
and the connector includes a spring member configured to provide
sufficient normal force on the blade to force the blade against the
wall of the connector to provide a reliable electrical contact. The
spring member abuts the protrusion to secure the blade in the
connector.
Preferably, the blade is integrally formed with the terminal. Also,
the connector is a generally rectangular housing, and the spring
member is connected to the housing. The spring member may be
generally S-shaped or 7-shaped in vertical cross-section. The blade
may be tapered, flat, split into two prongs, or include a V-shaped
lower surface.
Preferably, the blade extends in a direction perpendicular to the
direction which the post extends from the battery.
The connector housing may include an aperture formed therethrough,
and the spring may have a distal end which protrudes through the
aperture to facilitate detachment of the blade from the connector
housing.
The above objects, features, advantages, and other objects,
features and advantages of the present invention are readily
apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes
for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a partial perspective view of a battery assembly in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a partially exploded perspective view of a terminal,
blade and connector in accordance with a first alternative
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 shows a sectional view taken at line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 shows a partial perspective view of a blade and terminal in
accordance with a second alternative embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 5 shows a partial perspective view of a terminal and blade in
accordance with a third alternative embodiment of the invention;
and
FIG. 6 shows a partial perspective view of a terminal and blade in
accordance with a fourth alternative embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows a battery assembly 10 for a vehicle in accordance with
the invention. As shown, the battery 12 includes a post 14
extending vertically from a top surface 16 of the battery 12. A
terminal 18 is clamped over the post 14 and secured by a bolt 20
and nut 22.
As shown, the terminal 18 includes an integrally formed blade 24
extending from the rear of the terminal. The blade 24 includes a
protrusion 26 near the distal end 28 of the blade 24.
A connector or connector housing 30 is a generally rectangular,
hollow component formed of aluminum, tin, or lead. The connector 30
includes a steel spring 32 which is generally 7-shaped in vertical
cross-section, and includes a distal end 34 protruding through an
aperture 36 in the connector 30.
When the blade 24 is inserted into the central opening 38 of the
connector 30, the distal end 28 of the blade 24 contacts and
displaces the spring 32, until the abutment end 40 of the spring 32
snaps over the protrusion 26, and engages the inner edge 42 of the
protrusion 26 to rigidly secure the blade 24 within the connector
housing 30.
The steel spring 32 is configured to provide a sufficient normal
force downward against the top surface 44 of the blade 24 to force
the blade against the lower surface 46 of the connector 30 to
provide a reliable electrical connection between the blade 24 and
the connector 30.
The cable 48 includes strands of metal wire 50 which are crimped to
a plate 52, which is integral with the connector 30, by a nut
54.
Accordingly, in order to electrically connect the cable 48 to the
post 14, the connector 30 may be pressed over the blade 24 to snap
the spring 32 over the protrusion 26 to rigidly fix the connector
30 to the blade 24 and to provide a reliable electrical connection,
without the need for tools to electrically connect the cable.
The distal end 34 of the spring 32 may be grasped and pulled to
withdraw the abutment end 40 of the spring 32 from the inner edge
42 of the protrusion 26 to enable detachment of the blade 24 from
the connector 30.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first alternative embodiment of the
invention is shown. As shown, the terminal 118 includes a bolt 120
and nut 122 for connection to the battery post. A blade 124 is
integrally formed with and extends from the terminal 118. The blade
124 includes a protrusion 126 extending upward from a distal end
128 of the blade 124. The connector 130 has a steel spring 132
connected to an inside wall thereof by a screw 133. The spring 132
is generally S-shaped in vertical cross-section and has a distal
end 134 which abuts the protrusion 126 to secure the blade 124
inside the connector 130.
The cable 148 is connected to the rear of the connector 130.
As shown in FIG. 3, the steel spring 132 is compressed between the
inside wall 144 of the connector 132 and the top surface 146 of the
blade 124 so that a sufficient normal force is provided against the
blade 124 to provide a reliable electrical contact along the
surface 147.
When the blade 124 is inserted into the connector 130, the
protrusion 126 contacts the spring 132 and flexes the spring to
allow the blade 124 to be fully inserted into the connector 130
until the distal end 134 passes over the protrusion 126 and snaps
into position against the protrusion 126, thereby securing the
blade 124 inside the connector 130.
FIG. 4 shows a second alternative embodiment of the terminal and
blade, wherein the terminal 218 has a blade extending therefrom in
the form of first and second prongs 220, 222. The prongs 220, 222
each include a protrusion 226, 228 configured to abut a spring, as
described previously.
FIG. 5 shows a third alternative embodiment wherein a terminal 318
includes a blade 324 protruding therefrom. The blade 324 has a
V-shaped bottom surface 326, and includes a protrusion 328 formed
thereon to abut a spring as described previously.
FIG. 6 shows a fourth alternative embodiment of the invention
wherein a terminal 418 includes a blade 424 extending therefrom.
The blade 424 is tapered in width, becoming narrower away from the
terminal. The width at the base 420 is approximately twice the
width of the blade 424 at the distal end 422. The distal end 422
also includes a protrusion 426 extending therefrom for engagement
with a spring, as described previously.
While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been
described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this
invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and
embodiments for practicing the invention within scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *